Victoria Hussey – Chairperson
Why I am involved with the charity Simon Says.
When a dear friend is in need of support when her husband is dying you feel helpless. Sally and Simon ‘s children needed understanding and explanation. Simon needed to know his children would be supported. I spent hours on the phone and writing away for information from groups whom I thought would help both the children and Sally. No one could give us local support on a one to one or group basis. I worked through some ideas given to me by Winston s Wish.
The service idea grew and with help from many people Sally and I along with another close friend began the work of setting up a service to support bereaved children in Hampshire. Many hours of reading, visiting, training, talking and crying led the idea and the determination of the original members of the working group developed the service Simon Says.
I feel Simon Says is like one of my children – It develops and grows with boundaries and caution but with a great many influences from other places and other people, people the charity cannot now run without. The service provided is not now just about Simon, Sally, Andrew and Tom it is about the very many children travelling through life with devastating impact of the death of a close relative or friend. This was always the plan – Simon Says is Simon Stanley legacy -
To educate and support professionals in talking about and supporting these children during their contact with them provides me with great satisfaction and knowledge that death becomes part of life and in sharing experiences provides people with some comfort that they are not alone.Sally Stanley
I became a Trustee once Simon Says became a registered charity in 2001 and was the Chairperson for almost 6 years! My reason for becoming involved in the management and development of this new, but very dynamic charity is a very personal one. It was my husband Simon Stanley, who very sadly died at the age of 37 from colorectal cancer, leaving me with two very young sons, aged just five and 2. It was through our experience of grief as a normal young family that highlighted the lack of bereavement support for my two sons. Whilst our story has been firmly embedded into the philosophy of the charity, our story, is now one of hundred’s of other similar stories that without the support of Simon Says many, many children would not have received the help that they needed to rebuild their lives when someone special has died.
Whilst I can bring our experience of bereavement to the charity, I also have a long NHS employment history having worked for 16 years as an Audiologist and more recently, I am now jointly employed by the NHS and MacMillan Cancer Support as a Project Manager.Brian Adams – Treasurer
While being closely involved with Simon Says since it’s inception it was only 3 years ago that I was invited to become a trustee.
I find it so rewarding to serve such a cause. The trustees, volunteers and staff are all so devoted and caring in the support given to bereaved children and their families.
Simon Says make such a difference to bereaved children in Hampshire, and I am proud to be involved.Sally Warcup
In the summer of 2000 I was a practicing Health Visitor. A family known to me was suddenly & tragically bereaved of a wife & mother of two children less than 5yrs. old. Whilst giving support over the weeks, I sought help from “Winston’s Wish” (a similar organization in Gloucestershire) who introduced me to a young widow in Southampton in similar circumstances, looking to set up an organization to help bereaved children in Hampshire.
We met with a few other interested people & 2yrs. later Simon Says charity was born.
Sarah Worsfold
"I became a Trustee for Simon Says five years ago, when the charity was set up, having seen the difficulties Sally experienced in finding support for her boys when Simon died. I was surprised that so little information on child bereavement was easily available, and it seemed an important step forward to provide bereaved families with relevant information and a signposting service to other resources. I hope that Simon Says provides help and practical support in their daily lives, to bereaved children and those around them."
Hazel Shaw
I volunteered to help Simon Says when I read about it’s inception in the local paper 5 years ago. As a teacher I’ve always worked with children and I’d also trained as a counsellor. I was looking to do some voluntary work & the charity was meeting a need which I felt strongly about.
My inclination was to work directly with the children but, with a full-time job, I thought I would be better able to support as a trustee. As it happened, the charity had enough support at the time but, 2 years later; I was asked if I was still interested in being a trustee.
I’ve helped with decision-making & fund-raising & enjoyed celebrating the charity’s success & achievements which are due to the deep personal commitment of its founders & the drive & generosity of new members & local organisations. As a local head teacher I promote the charity within the education sector in Hampshire.
I really appreciated joining one of the Sunday sessions & experiencing the positive, supportive & happy atmosphere created by the volunteers.Ben Richards
I first came across Simon Says when our company, Whitegrove, was looking for a local charity to get involved with. We were all taken aback with the dedication, enthusiasm and above all, compassion, of Simon Says and what it stands for.
This then lead on to my involvement as a trustee which I find very rewarding.
June Hollaway
Why am I a Trustee?
Because it is a Charity that I believe in to take the responsibility associated with the charity as a Trustee. I feel that I am able to support volunteers to make fair decisions regarding all aspects of this worth while charity. I treat my position as a Trustee with respect. I believe that there is a need to raise awareness. So I give of my time freely.
Yours sincerely June Holloway. Trustee
